Use TikTok to Find Your Next Apartment

From meal plans to high-end fashion, everything is for sale on social media, so you might not be surprised that ABC News reported millennials are using the video app TikTok to find apartments. I was reminded of how Craigslist became a leader in cheap online rentals before gaining its stigma for scam-ridden listings, but TikTok isn’t flooded with sketchy real estate deals where you might feel the need to bring a bodyguard to showings—at least not yet. Instead, it’s becoming a place to find high-end apartment rentals.

Madison Sutton, an agent at Highline Residential, told Bloomberg Wealth that deals secured through TikTok accounted for her entire business during quarantine. Whether you’re looking for a new place to live or just window shopping like you might on Zillow, here’s how to add TikTok to your apartment hunting hustle.

Follow real estate agents and companies

Like all popular social media, an algorithm curates the content you see based on your viewing habits. That’s why after I search “where to get a facial,” I receive a million and one ads for spas and facial treatments (my feed is filled with skincare products). We normally think of this as a bad thing, being bombarded with ads for items you don’t need and in some cases that you’ve already bought—but if you are looking for an apartment, the algorithm can do the work for you.

The simplest way is to start following realtors in your target area. Realtors with companies like GZB Realty uses TikTok’s style of short-form videos combined with catchy tunes to give tours of apartments on the market. Others, like @rgsellsatl, works with Morgan Reed Realty does full tours of homes for sale in Atlanta GA, and @cash.jordan does high-energy tours of Manhattan high-rises. Once you find a few in your area, it’ll be easy to find more.

Search the right hashtags

If you don’t already know the realtors in your area, use popular hashtags like #forrent, #realtorsoftiktok, and #apartments[insert city]. I did a simple search for #apartments and found videos for apartments from Houston to New York City, each displaying the neighborhood, rent, and a walkthrough of the listing. If you like a particular user’s showings, follow them to be notified each time they post a new one.

After you’ve made a few searches and followed realtors, you’ll notice the algorithm will begin suggesting similar content, and you can effectively tour hundreds of apartments a day on your TikTok feed. Just remember to do your due diligence by researching the companies and vetting the real estate agents before taking action. As with anything you find on the internet, there are risks of scammers.